The month of June is Pride Month, a time of celebration for the LGBTQIA community.
But Sunday morning the world woke up to news all over the internet and social media of the tragedy that occurred in Orlando.
About 50 people are dead and 53 injured. The violence at 2 a.m. in Florida is now the worse mass shooting in U.S. history and the most recent terrorist attack. This event combines several hotly debated issues in America – LGBTQIA rights, gun control, and immigration and Islam.
So many from the LGBTQIA community have been despised and discriminated against. So many of them know what it’s like to be kicked out of their family homes. So many of them have been preached at by raging, professing Christians who speak a message of hate and Hell.
Whether the prayers being prayed are from those of a different religion, from non-religious people calling out in desperation, or from Christians it’s the latter that we tend to think of when we hear the word pray. One or two things are happening as a response: the Christians that scream “turn-or-burn” are now claiming to love the LGBTQIA community and/or the Christians who have humbly loved like Christ all the while are now being more prominently represented in the media.
There needs to be unity and love. Love shouldn’t be something to turn on or off when it’s convenient. We should love no matter what. To be loving doesn’t mean to be totally accepting of someone else’s worldview, but it also doesn’t mean that you have to hate someone you disagree with. I think this point is missed in daily interactions and only remembered in the most difficult of times.
My heart is hurting for Orlando. There’s so much fear and vulnerability, grief and anger, devastation and sorrow. There’s a loss of safety and security. There has been ruthless violence as well as psychological terror inflicted on this community.
I’m not sure what all to say, but I don’t want to say absolutely nothing. Instances like these can’t be ignored or brushed aside. When any people group is discriminated against, when they are marginalized for their gender, sexual identity, ethnicity, social class, religion, or for any other reason we should be outraged.
Jesus called the Church to be lovers of people and of Himself. To love one means that we must love the other, it isn’t an either-or situation.
1 John 4:19-21
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
In the midst of so much evil and pain we are still to be radical lovers, empathizers, and doers of what is right not what is easy.
Romans 12:9-21
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
But I’m afraid that the Church will miss this call to serve the broken and oppressed as it has it the past – that the Gospel of God’s love will not be lived out. The thoughts and prayers of hope and love will be sent in Orlando’s direction, but will be empty and meaningless.
The time is now for us all to set aside all other agendas, to not argue when healing is needed. We need to comfort those who mourn. We need to grieve with those that are hurting. We need to advocate for peace amidst violence. We need to listen to people instead of talk at people. There is hope even in despair.
I pray for Orlando, healing for the families, friends, loved ones, and all who are affected. I pray for the churches in Orlando, that they represent Christ well in compassionate love and service. I pray for the government, for guidance and wisdom. I pray for the suffering LGBTQIA community. I pray for Muslims, that they do not succumb to the stereotypes thrust upon them. I pray for ISIS who is so vengeful for an ideal that is so unjust, that their members would see truth.
